We have been asked to review a product so I thought "why not post it on our blog?"
The product is a medium density closed cell polyurethane spray form insulation (plus air and vapour barrier if I have it right). The product is HeatLok and is made by a Quebec-based company called Demilec. It meets all National Building Code standards and provides a long-term thermal value of R-6 per 1 inch. If you search it on the web, all sites make reference to it "not hurting the ozone layer" (the more serious references include an indication that it meets the Montreal Protocol requirements). The product is also made of renewable vegetable oil (I like the use of the word renewable here) and recycled plastic bottles. It isn't as extreme as trying to use old jeans to insulate your walls but it looks like a good start toward a green product. What do you think?
The website is: http://www.heatlok-soya.com/index.php
P.S. Cost comparison?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I'm really enjoying reading your blog, and I hope you'll continue to feature new, earth-friendly products like this.
I went to the HeatLok site, and was impressed by their claim that their insulation acts as not only a thermal barrier, but a vapour barrier as well. I wonder if you would need extra ventilation when using this as attic insulation?
The thing that impresses me about using recycled denim is that cotton is self-extinguishing. If it catches on fire, it will stop burning once the ignition source is removed.
I wonder how HeatLok burns, and I imagine that since it is plastic and vegetable oil, it would really feed a house fire if it were ignited. I'm thinking about those two homes in Orleans that burned last week.
In the news, it was reported that the laminated wood used in new construction burns faster and makes it difficult for firefighters to get inside a house to put out the fire. I'd want to know how HeatLok burns in comparison to other products before I installed it in my home.
Thanks for the post. I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying the blog.
I emailed Demilec with your questions and was hoping that I would get a response back so that I could post it. I will see what our contractor says.
I contacted Demilec with your questions and this is what they said:
"The heatlok spray polyurethane foam act as an insulation , an air barrier and a (vapor barrier (at 38mm and more))
To be conform to building code the material need to meet the CAN/ULC S 705.1 standard
This standard require 13 physicals properties
One of these properties is the flame spread ( because like all plastic or combustible insulation foam burn)
The flame spread have to be lower than 500 base on CAN/ULC S 102 standard
The product is self-extinguishing, when you take out of fire the fire stop.
In building application the product could not be expose to occupancy
Regular gypsum board ½’’ is conform for thermal protection in all kind of building
In residential, plywood, tentest, OSB could act as a thermal barrier
The product is evaluate by independent 3e parties, CCMC 13244-L and green guard for children and school (www.greenguard.org)"
These also emailed me some documentation. Hopefully it addresses your comments. Thanks again for taking the time to post!
Thanks for responding to my comment. The HeatLok product seems to be a good alternative, and probably easier to source than recycled denim. I'll be interested to see more of your product choices!
I thought that you might be interested to learn that the cost differential for our house is $3000to use the Heatlok product. We decided to go ahead as there are a variety of good enviro reasons to use the product - energy efficiency, air quality, responsible product, etc.
Post a Comment